TERMINAL NEWS: EUROPE

Varo And Lufthansa Sign Mou For Production And Supply Of Saf

Energy supplier, Varo Energy and airline group, Lufthansa Group have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the production and supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The MoU will see Varo and the Lufthansa Group leverage their long-standing partnership to drive forward the market and grow the use of SAF. Lufthansa could offtake large volumes of SAF from Varo as early as 2026. Both companies intend to scale innovative processes such as the production of hydrogen from biogenic feedstock, such as sewage sludge, and to classify it as green hydrogen in Germany. This green hydrogen could then be used to produce e-SAF.

The MoU also builds on the Lufthansa Group’s ambition to drive the availability, market ramp-up and use of SAF as a core element of its sustainability strategy. The Lufthansa Group is already one of the largest customers of SAF in Europe and is enabling their corporate customers to report their CO 2 emission reductions by an audited certificate.

Dev Sanyal, CEO of Varo Energy, says: ‘Our One Varo Transformation strategy is centred on meeting the need of our customers to decarbonize as they progress in the energy transition while ensuring reliability of supply. This MoU builds on our long-standing partnership with the Lufthansa Group, one of the world’s largest airline groups, and I am excited to be working with them to accelerate the development and use of SAF – a key element of our biofuels strategic growth pillar.’

‘We believe in SAF being a powerful tool to make aviation more climate friendly and are therefore strongly engaged in SAF development and making it logistically available at airports. We are very happy about this latest engagement with Varo which supports our sustainability strategy,’ adds Katja Kleffmann, head of fuel management supply Lufthansa Group.

Port Of Rotterdam And Stc International Organise Energy Transition Training

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and STC International are collaborating to organise the Port Energy Transition Management Programme from 20 to 23 March.

During the course, port professionals will gain the latest energy transition insights and an understanding of the role they must play.

The Port Energy Transition Management Programme will take port professionals on a journey through Europe’s largest energy hub, focusing on the challenges and solutions in the Port of Rotterdam.

Germany

Bp To Evaluate Feasibility Of New German Hydrogen Hub

Energy giant, BP has announced it will evaluate the feasibility of building a new hydrogen hub in Germany. The project, which would be located in Wilhelmshaven, is expected to include an industryleading ammonia cracker which could provide up to 130,000 tons (118,000 tonnes) of low carbon hydrogen from green ammonia per year, from 2028.

The green ammonia is expected to be shipped from BP green hydrogen projects around the world to Wilhelmshaven. The cracker converts the green ammonia into green hydrogen by splitting the larger molecule into its smaller nitrogen and hydrogen components which can then be used directly.

Patrick Wendeler, chief executive of BP Europa SE, says: ‘At BP we have the expertise and capacity to cover the entire value chain of green hydrogen production, including conversion into derivates like ammonia, transport, and then reconversion to supply green hydrogen to the customers and places who need it. This development would help create greater energy independence for our German customers across a range of low carbon energy products. Wilhelmshaven has a proud energy history, and we hope this hydrogen hub can help carve out its next chapter and help Germany meet its energy transition goals.’

Gasunie And Storag Etzel Join For Hydrogen Storage In Germany

Independent storage company, Storag Etzel has announced that energy network operator, Gausine will become a partner in the hydrogen storage piolet project, H2Cast. This participation is a first step for Gausine, towards developing hydrogen storage facilities in the salt caverns near Etzel, Germany.

The first step involves a pilot project in which two of the existing salt caverns will be made suitable for hydrogen storage and connected by an above-ground installation. Within the pilot project, Gasunie will be responsible for the above ground facility to connect the two hydrogen caverns.

Han Fennema, CEO of Gasunie says: ‘Hydrogen is going to play an important role in the future energy system, especially for making industry more sustainable. For a well-functioning hydrogen market, large-scale hydrogen storage is a crucial component. Gasunie has the ambition to develop salt caverns for hydrogen storage in both the Netherlands and Germany.’

‘The industrial scalability of the underground storage is unique for the H2CAST pilot. Gasunie will optimally strengthen the project consortium, which is of strategic importance for the Etzel site. The pilot project is a starting point for a future value chain to enable the rampup of the international hydrogen market,’ adds Boris Richter, managing director of Storag Etzel.

The pilot project is expected to be ready in 2026.

Gasgrid Finland Announces Floating Lng Terminal Is Ready For Deliveries

Finnish state-owned natural gas transmission system operator, Gasgrid has announced that the LNG floating terminal in Inkoo, Finland is now ready for gas deliveries. The floating terminal project successfully implemented by Gasgrid Finland will secure the supply of gas to industry, energy production and households as well as safeguard Finland’s security of supply and the continuation of gas supplies far into the future. The LNG floating terminal vessel Exemplar reached Inkoo on 28 December last year and has now been successfully integrated into Gasgrid Finland’s gas transmission network.

Esa Hallivuori, senior vice president, transmission business at Gasgrid Finland says: ‘We have now got our LNG floating terminal fully up and running and all the required official permits to start commercial operations are in place. Everything has now been finalised and tested. This means that the customers of our terminal can begin to distribute gas to meet the needs of industry, energy production and households not just in Finland but also in the Baltic states. Our LNG floating terminal has already generated plenty of interest and enquiries from various parties. We believe that there is a real need for the energy provided by our terminal both now and going forward. The LNG floating terminal can provide a huge amount of energy also for heat and power production when needed.’

The liquefied natural gas will be supplied to the LNG terminal from the international market. No Russian gas is used at the terminal and the LNG terminal will help Finland to permanently phase out its dependency on Russian gas.

Norway

Provaris Energy Signs Mou With Norwegian Hydrogen

Norwegian Hydrogen, will collaborate with Provaris Energy on the development of green hydrogen value chain projects in the Nordics.

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aiming to to accelerate the development of a hydrogen value chain covering largescale production and export of hydrogen to the key ports of Europe.

The MoU provides a framework to jointly undertake a study for the concept design of a facility and identify sites to select a preferred location suitable for domestic and export volumes of hydrogen. The companies will also undertake a technical and economic review for the production and supply of compressed gaseous green hydrogen to nominated European ports. The scope of the study will include the renewable power supply, production of hydrogen, compression facilities, storage, infrastructure for jetty loading and unloading, Provaris’ H2Neo carrier, and import infrastructure required at identified import locations.

Martin Carolan, Provaris’ managing director and CEO, says: ‘Provaris is delighted to collaborate with Norwegian Hydrogen to accelerate our development ambitions of an integrated export hydrogen project from the Nordic region that will benefit from the simplicity and efficiency of compressed hydrogen as a marine carrier.’

TOTALENERGIES ANNOUNCES THE START-UP OF LNG IMPORT TERMINAL

Energy and petroleum company, TotalEnergies has announced the start-up of the Deutsche Ostsee LNG import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Operated by Deutsche ReGas and located in Lubmin on the German Baltic Sea coast. TotalEnergies is contributing a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and supplying LNG, making the company one of Germany’s main LNG suppliers.

In December 2022, TotalEnergies delivered the Neptune (one of the company’s two FRSU’s) to Deutsche ReGas.

Stéphane Michel, president of gas, renewables and power at TotalEnergies says: ‘Europe is facing a historic gas supply crisis caused by the sharp drop in flows from Russia. Since the beginning of this crisis, TotalEnergies has mobilised its LNG portfolio, which is broad and flexible, to send available LNG to Europe and to use its 18 Mt/y regasification capacity. Thanks to the start-up of the Lubmin terminal, TotalEnergies will be able to add to this effort and increase its imports to Europe to over 20 Mt/y, or about 15% of the continent’s regasification capacity.

We are pleased to support this project, which will allow Germany and Europe to further secure gas supply.’

Stolthaven Terminals Partners With Olleco To Build Uco Plant

Stolthaven Dagenham has allocated land in East London at the Stolthaven Terminals facility, to Ocello to build a used cooking oil (UCO) processing facility, which will process UCO collected from restaurants and food production sites. The UCO will then be transferred to Stolthaven Dagenham’s storage tanks before being converted into renewable, lowcarbon biodiesel.

The long-term partnership with Olleco aligns with both companies’ focus on developing sustainable energy alternatives.

Steve Walker, general manager at the Stolthaven Dagenham terminal, says: ‘In recent years, we have invested significantly in the terminal – including a new jetty due for completion this year – to ensure we continue to meet the specific needs of our customers and we are looking forward to partnering with Olleco on this project.’

Pim van den Doel, Stolthaven Terminals’ commercial and business development manager (EMEA), says: ‘Our new partnership with Olleco highlights the significance of waste oil in the production of biofuels and the role we play in the supply chain and the transition to sustainable products and alternative fuels. Together with our sister companies, Stolt Tankers and Stolt Tank Containers, we provide safe, integrated storage and handling solutions to the biofuel industry worldwide and our Dagenham terminal stores UCO for several customers.’

Greenergy And Octopus Hydrogen Begin Partnership

Green hydrogen supply company, Octopus Hydrogen and supplier and distributor of transportation fuels, Greenergy have begun a logistics partnership for the collection and delivery of green hydrogen to Octopus Hydrogen customers.

The NanoSUN mobile refuelling units will be transported by Greenergy, and allow delivery, storage and dispensing of green hydrogen on customer sites. The first delivery was completed last month, with more scheduled for 2023.

Will Rowe, founder and CEO of Octopus Hydrogen says: ‘We want to support our customers to achieve their decarbonisation strategies. The efficient transportation of green hydrogen direct to where they need it is a core part of what we offer. It’s great to be working with Greenergy on providing this essential service to our customers. Together we’re making green hydrogen happen today.’

‘As part of our approach to support our customers through the energy transition, we are working with Octopus Hydrogen as the first step in our strategy to deliver hydrogen. Greenergy’s expertise in specialist logistics and our scalable service offer allow us to provide safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation delivering green hydrogen directly to customer sites across the UK, helping them to decarbonise,’ adds Christian Flach, CEO of Greenergy.

GRAVITRICITY SEEKS £40M FOR UNDERGROUND HYDROGEN STORAGE

Gravitricity is seeking up to £40m (€45m) in funding following signing a memorandum of understanding with construction firm VSL Systems UK to design underground hydrogen stores, known as FlexiStores.

The UK could see the construction of hundreds of purpose-built underground line rock shafts to store green hydrogen. These will each be 6m in diameter and 356m deep and lined with steel.

The aim is that FlexiStores will help to fuel the UK’s green economy. Each store will hold up to 100 tonnes of green hydrogen – enough to refuel more than 1,000 HGVs, or to power 500 buses for a week. Gravitricity calculates that the construction of 1,000 FlexiStores would meet a quarter of the UK government’s predicted 2050 hydrogen storage needs. Gravitricity and VSL Systems plan to build a scale demonstrator in the next 24 months ahead of commercial rollout.

Horisont Signs Agreement With Haugaland N Ringspark For Ccs

Norwegian energy company, Horisont Energi has entered into an option agreement with Haugaland Næringspark to locate the landbased CO 2 terminal for the Errai carbon capture and storage project to Gismarvik in Rogaland. The CO 2 terminal will receive CO 2 from both European and Norwegian customers, including from the planned CO 2 terminal in the Port of Rotterdam. Errai is the first commercial CO 2 storage project in Norway, and is a collaboration between Horisont Energi and Neptune Energy.

In addition to the onshore terminal for intermediate storage and the quay facility, the Errai project will also include an associated offshore reservoir for permanent storage of CO 2